West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-03-25
WORKING FOR PUBLIC OBJ
JECTS.
Philadelphia Ledger.

of the world, which rightly form the
chief business of all healthy and ac-
tive persons, there are number of
good and desirable objects which
can only be accomplished by the
united efforts of private individuals,
| whose business lies in other direc-
tions. Such are the various chari-
table enterprises for the relief Of
poverty and ignorance, the cause Of
education in its many branches the
| various reforms of the day, the i'm
provements planned and executed
for the beauty of the city, or the
comforts of its inhabitants, the con-
| dition of good government and the
paths that led to It, the advance and
spread of art, the assistance of ge-
MUS, the elucidation of social prob
lens, and many other things equally
valuable to the welfare of the whole
community. All these, if done at
all, must be done mainly by the peo.
pie outside of their regular voca-
tions. Each one has, or ought to
have, his own special employment
into which his full energies must be
thrown. Then his recreation. his
general culture, his family duties,
his social needs, demand considera-
tion. Beyond all these, however,
and including some of them, is the
duty devolving on each one to help
the community in which he lives,
and to fulfil his share of response
bility for it's order, well-being and
happiness. A part of the time
should be thus devoted; how large a
part can only be determined by each
for himself.
AS, however, it is at the best but
small contribution that can thus
be made by busy people, it becomes
difficult question in what direc-
tion it should be made. The path
Of business is usually distinctly
marked out and followed without
doubt or hesitation. Domestic du-
ties are clear and plain, and social
claims are fairly definite. But this
mission of public benefaction is
somewhat vague and misty. Here
there is such vast work open be-
fore us, there are so many good
things proposed to be done, many
of which we admit to be valuable,
that it is not strange if we expert
ence a sense of confusion and dis
eouragement. Some retire from the
scene under the very mistaken in,-
preston that amidst such vast ar
ray of objects to be accomplished,
the small mite of help they could
offer is not worth presenting. Still
more, however, huctuate from one
thing to another, now working lit
tie for this society and now for that;
now undertaking little charitable
work and now a little political agita
ton; then Leaving them all to pro-
mote some reform that they see is
needed, or to assist some struggling
talent to emerge from obscurity. 1t
is plain that thus to divide up a
small portion of leisure time among
many objects, however worthy they
may be, is to greatly impair its use
fulness. We may, if We please, dis
tribute our money in this way, and
trust to the wisdom of those who
control such expenditures to make
it effective; but time cannot thus be
handed over. If it is to do any real
good it must be intelligently con-
centrated upon something of which
we have at least little knowledge,
and in which we are able to act with
a fair degree of wisdom.
Indeed, the very presence OF
strong solicitude in any special form
of human welfare invests us with
certain responsibility in that direc-
ton. Is one anxious about the con-
dition and treatment of the criminal
classes, and another about the un-
! fortunate little waits cast on the
world with little or no parental love
/ and care? Is one keenly alive to the
need of good laws and wise admin
istrations, and another warmly N
! terested in Industrial education?
Does one yearn for the removal OF
drunkenness from the land, and AN
other for better relations between
labor and capital? Such longings
should be regarded as signals point
ing out the paths of action. They
say, in small, still voice, up and
be doing; work for this good thing
that you desire; labor for the result
you hope may come about; put your
practical energies into harmony
with your sense of human need, and
thus do your share toward the de.
sired result"
There is much that is and must
be done for pay, and it is right that
it should be so; but there is also
much that can be best accomplished
without any thought of pay-eyen
the pay of love-but simply from
the desire of doing good. If each
one will devote some regular portion
of his leisure to such of this work as
is most congenial to his taste and
nearest to his heart. striving to un-
derstand its principles and to en-
ploy wise methods with system and
order, success will crown his efforts,
his own character will develop har-